Rooney notched the opener from the penalty spot in the seventh minute after Ashley Young had taken a tumble under the challenge of Ciaran Clark.

Despite replays suggesting the England forward had exaggerated the contact, referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Rooney sent goalkeeper Shay Given the wrong way with the penalty.

Danny Welbeck then doubled the lead shortly before the break with a sliding finish after Nathan Baker allowed Patrice Evra's low cross to run under his leg at the far-post.

Rooney added his second on 73 minutes following a one-two with Antonio Valencia before substitute Nani added a fourth in injury time as the champions coasted to victory against a lacklustre Villa side.

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